I imagine that there is little I could tell you that better-versed "certified experts" haven't already told you about statistics and trends and learning theory and child development and children as Oregon's future. Truth? I suspect about now you're probably wishing we would stop the clamor and leave you to your work.

I write to you because I want to make sure you consider two more-pragmatic concerns as you wrestle with how best to fund the education of Oregon's children.

The first is the unique and often unsung role of schools in centering local communities, binding them together into the village that raises the community's children. The interminable preoccupation with "school funding" has a widespread and demoralizing effect. It hangs over everyone's best efforts, creating a climate of anxiety in the community. It's subtle, but toxic.

The second is to advocate for a sense of urgency. We recognize children as the promise of our future, but I'm equally concerned with their more immediate needs. We can't be cavalier about the time frame adopted for change; we can't continue to defer. Children are blossoming rapidly, like time-lapse videos.

One legislative session lost is an entire school year to a child who could have had more: more reading readiness, more music, more counseling, more art, more librarians, more gym class. For the kindergartners who started school in September without basic language and learning skills, another year of inadequate school funding has the potential to alter their academic trajectory forever.

It is heartbreaking to consider that some of the school funding problems before you today have been evident since current high school students started school. We cannot in good conscience allow this to continue unresolved. Please be a member of the legislative session that rises to this challenge.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of Oregon.

Laura Grandin Southwest Portland Grandin volunteers at Raleigh Hills K-8 School in the Beaverton School District.